The Center for Positive Aging has compiled a list of website links that contains valuable information we hope will equip caregivers with the necessary information they'll need to help older adults and their families make informed decisions about the best products and services for their needs. Please note that this resource list is meant only for information purposes; it is not exhaustive or all-inclusive; and the Center does not endorse specific products or services. If you would like to suggest new items to add, please use the "contact us" menu above to email us.
Project 2020: Georgia For a Lifetime (An Initiative of the Georgia Council on Aging)
In 2008, the Georgia General Assembly asked the Georgia Council on Aging to study the effects of this impending population shift on state and local governments, private and non-profit organizations and to make recommendations for both short-term and long-term action. The Georgia Council on Aging presents this Summary of the Recommendations made to the Governor in the Final Report for Project 2020: Georgia for a Lifetime on December 15, 2010.
Final Report (Summary Recommendations)
Visit www.gcoa.org to learn more about the Georgia Council on Aging.
The mission of the Administration on Aging is to assist elderly individuals with maintaining their independence and dignity in their homes and communities through comprehensive, coordinated, and cost effective systems of home and community-based long-term care across the U.S. AoA works in close collaboration with the Aging Network of states, Area Agencies on Aging, and local community service provider agencies- the most visible, trusted community resources for information access and services.
Visit www.aoa.gov to learn more about the Administration on Aging.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization for older Americans and the community organizations that serve them. They bring together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA work with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities.
BenefitsCheckUp is free service of the National Council on Aging. There are over 2,000 federal, state and private benefits programs available to help adults over 55 pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other basic needs. However, many people don't know these programs exist or how they can apply. BenefitsCheckUp asks a series of questions to help identify benefits that could save you money and cover the costs of everyday expenses.
Visit www.benefitscheckup.org for more information about BenefitsCheckUp.
The Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services assists older individuals, at-risk adults and persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers to achieve safe, healthy, independent and self-reliant lives. Services are rendered to: 
those aged 60+, adult victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, medicare beneficiaries, are available to work a maximum of 35 hours a week June 1 - July 31, 2010, those with functional impairments, adults with disabilities, low-income people aged 55+ who seek employment, and caregivers. Visit www.aging.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DAS/ to learn more about Georgia Division of Aging Services programs.
DAS is Georgia's Adult Protective Services (APS) agency. DAS investigates abuse, neglect and exploitation of Georgians age 65 or older and adults with disabilities over the age of 18 who do not reside in a long-term care facility. In addition to conducting investigations, APS intervenes to reduce the risk of maltreatment. Examples of interventions include finding another residence for the abused person; arranging for medical assistance; educating caregivers as to proper care; finding a senior center to provide day services; and, if necessary involving law enforcement. Contact the Division of Aging Services at 404-657-5250 or 1-888-774-0152 to report elder abuse.
Georgia Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) is your Gateway to Information and assistance, referral to community services/ resources, and consumer eligibility screening. The AAA meet the needs of the following persons: Older persons; Persons with disabilities; Family members and caregivers of people who are older or living with a disability; Professionals in the fields of healthcare, education, social services and advocacy; Businesses of all sizes that care about the ways in which aging, care giving, and/or disabilities may affect their employees' daily lives; and Friends, faith communities, and volunteers who want to make a positive difference in the lives of older adults, caregivers, and/or people with disabilities. Click here to find contact information for your local Area Agency.
Georgia Community Care Services Program (CCSP) helps Medicaid-eligible individuals who cannot live on their own. The program provides assistance in homes and communities and avoids placing the individual in a nursing home. Under CCSP eligible individuals can receive: Adult day health services; Alternative living services; Emergency response services; Home-delivered meals; and Personal support services such as light housekeeping, basic personal care and caregiver respite. Click here for more information about the Georgia Community Care Services Program.
Georgia Home and Community-Based Services Program (HCBS) provides support to older Georgians so that they may remain independent and self-sufficient. HCBS has many services, but the most common are senior centers, congregate and home delivered meals, Information & Assistance, case management, adult day care and homemaker. HCBS is available to elderly people age 60 and older. Click here for more information about the Georgia Home and Community-Based Services Program.
Georgia Senior Community Service Employment Program provides part-time community service work an training for Georgia's unemployed low-income seniors age 55 and older and helps them obtain paid employment. Job counseling, career development assistance, and referral to needed community resources are among the services available to older persons who enroll in the Program. Click here for more information about the Georgia Senior Community Service Employment Program.
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) CILs are grassroots, advocacy-driven organizations run by and for people with disabilities. CILs help promote the independence and productivity of persons with disabilities, and they often have expertise in assisting people with disabilities arrange for housing and support in the community. One of the CIL's core services is to provide disability-specific information and referral services.
To location a CIL near you, go to www.virtualcil.net or call 1 (877) 525-3400.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) supports family caregivers as its targeted client group rather than care receivers. This program is available to family caregivers, age 18 and older, of persons with Alzheimer's and other dementias, as well as persons caring for frail, older adults with chronic health conditions. Examples of caregiver services include: adult day care services, case management assistance, and temporary relief from their care giving responsibilities through respite services. Visit www.aoa.gov/aoaroot/aoa_programs/hcltc/caregiver/index.aspx for more information about the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
Georgia Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) is a collaborative effort of the Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designed to streamline access to long-term care. The ADRC initiative is part of a nationwide effort to restructure services and supports for older adults and younger persons with disabilities.
Click here for more information about Georgia Aging & Disability Resource Connection.
Also visit www.adrc-tae.org to locate a ADRC closest to you or call 1 (800) 677-1116. Georgia Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) provides persons age 60+ with legal representation, information and education in civil legal matters throughout the state of Georgia. It is required by federal law and funded primarily by the federal Older Americans Act. Program services include: Legal information; Legal counseling; Case representation; and Legal education sessions to help older Georgians prevent more costly, time-consuming legal problems.
Click here for more information about the Georgia Elderly Legal Assistance Program.
Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program seeks to improve the quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities. These facilities include nursing homes and personal care homes, often called assisted living facilities. In addition, Ombudsmen serve residents who live in community living arrangements (CLAs) and intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICF/MRs).
Visit www.georgiaombudsman.org to learn more about Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
GeorgiaCares is a private-public partnership, administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS). GeorgiaCares is a volunteer-based program that provides free, unbiased and factual information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. GeorgiaCares is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and SMP (formerly Senior Medicare Patrol).
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national program available in every state that offers free one-on-one counseling and assistance (over the telephone or in-person) to people with Medicare and their caregivers. Trained counselors provide answers to questions related to Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, prescription coverage and low-income assistance.
Visit www.healthassistancepartnership.org or call 1 (800) MEDICARE to find a SHIP program in Georgia.
GeorgiaCares SMP project is dedicated to promoting consumer awareness, preventing elder victimization, and working to implement community partnerships to prevent Medicare and Medicaid fraud, error, and abuse. The GeorgiaCares SMP project encourages Georgians to take an active role in protecting healthcare for current and future generations.
Visit www.mygeorgiacares.org to learn more about SHIP and SMP programs in Georgia.
The AHTF seeks to mitigate hoarding issues before they become dire safety or health issues, and before the hoarding issues devastate the family. If you are a chronically disorganized person with hoarding tendencies, or an individual with hoarding issues at any stage, they welcome your call or email. Referrals are also welcome.
AHTF provide expert, experienced professional organizing, onsite therapeutic assessment, on-going cognitive behavioral therapy, supplemental support services, and education about compulsive hoarding. Their services are fee-based and they make every effort to manage costs by using budget-sensitive services, volunteers, and family and friends to assist with hoarding projects. Services are confidential.
Call Judith Kolberg at 404-231-6172 Ext. 2 to obtain a free assessment or to book a speaker on hoarding. You may also visit www.atlantahoardingtaskforce.com to learn more about AHTF.
The VA offers a range of services to veterans who need long-term care. For information and resources, contact the social department at any Georgia VA Medical Facility. Also call 1 (877) 222-8387 or visit the Georgia Department of Veterans Services website for more information.
Ask Medicare was launched by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is a one-stop source of information and support just for caregivers caring for an aging, seriously ill, or disabled family member or friend, to help make their life a little easier.
Visit www.medicare.gov/caregivers to find a variety of information and resources about Medicare.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) launched a new strategy to inform relatives and caregivers of low-income Medicare beneficiaries about the "extra help" available to assist them with the cost of the Prescription Drug Program.
Visit www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp to learn more about Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs.
Medicaid is a health insurance program that pays medical bills for eligible low-income families including pregnant women and women with breast or cervical cancer, foster and adoptive children and for eligible aged, blind and/or those who have disabilities whose income is insufficient to meet the cost of necessary medical services. Medicaid is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and pays medical bills with State and Federal tax money.
Visit www.georgia.gov to learn more about Medicaid programs in Georgia.
The Medicaid Reference Desk (www.thedesk.info) is a resource for people with intellectual disabilities and their families to learn about Medicaid and other public benefits, services and supports. Information about Medicaid programs, eligibility and services is provided for every state including Georgia. While this resource is intended for people with intellectual disabilities, it can be helpful to other consumers.
States may offer a variety of services to consumers under an HCBS waiver program and the number of services that can be provided is not limited These programs may provide a combination of both traditional medical services (i.e. dental services, skilled nursing services) as well as non-medical services (i.e. respite, case management, environmental modifications). Family members and friends may be providers of waiver services if they meet the specified provider qualifications. However, in general spouses and parents of minor children cannot be paid providers of waiver services.
Visit www.georgia.gov to learn more about home and community based services waivers in Georgia.
Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a rebalancing initiative that was made possible by an eleven-year grant to states from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This grant is designed to help individuals who are institutionalized in nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities (ICF) for people with developmental disabilities return to their homes and communities.
Visit www.georgia.gov to learn more about Money Follows the Person Georgia program.
The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) and is the first step to finding resources for older adults in any U.S. community. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
Call 1 (800) 677-1116 to contact Eldercare Locator or visit www.eldercare.gov to learn more about Eldercare resources in your community.
The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need. MOWAA works toward the social, physical, nutritional, and economic betterment of vulnerable Americans. The Meals On Wheels Association of America provides the tools and information its programs need to make a difference in the lives of others.
Visit www.mowaa.org to learn more about MOWAA.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) New Freedom Initiative web site is dedicated to providing visitors with information about one of the priorities of the Bush administration: eliminating the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community life. The New Freedom Initiative provides a comprehensive, government-wide framework for achieving that goal. The HHS Office of Disability website, contains background information on the New Freedom Initiative Subcommittee on Caregiving.
Visit www.hhs.gov/newfreedom to learn more about the New Freedom Initiative.
The Family Caregiver Alliance is a national organization the serves as a public voice for caregivers. FCA provides education and information to caregivers, and conducts research and advocacy. FCA houses the National Center on Caregiving (NCC) that is a great source of information for caregiving and other long-term care issues. The NCC in turn, offers the Family Care Navigation that allows caregivers to locate support services in their communities.
Family Caregiver Alliance: Handbook for Long-Distance Caregivers is a guide provided by the FCA for families and friends caring for ill or elderly loved ones.
Visit www.caregiver.org or call 1 (800) 445-8106 to learn more about the Family Caregiver Alliance.
The National Alliance for Caregiving is a coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving. The goal of the Alliance is to improve the quality of life of families and individuals receiving care and services. The Alliance has numerous brochures, booklets and other publications useful to family and other caregivers. Additionally, NAC's Family Care Resource Clearinghouse finds reviews and ratings of hundreds of books, videos, websites, magazines, fact sheets, and other resources addressing the range of issues and questions faced by family and caregivers.
Visit www.caregiving.org to learn more about the National Alliance for Caregiving.
NTOCC has created information to help healthcare professionals understand how poor transitions impact care delivery and how you can help improve transitions in your facility. Join NTOCC as an individual subscriber or ask for your company to join as an Associate Member to be notified as new tools become available.
Visit www.ntocc.org to learn more about NTOCC.
The Care Transitions Program based in the Division of Health Care Policy and Research at the University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine would like to share the tools they have developed which have proven useful to many people to make transition or care "handover" from hospital to home go smoothly and to help to stay out of the hospital.
Visit wwww.caretransitions.org to learn more about the Care Transitions Program at UNIV of Colorado.
The Johnson & Johnson Caregiver Initiative is a pioneer in the emerging field of family caregiver support and StrengthForCaring.com (SFC) is the cornerstone of this important program. SFC is a comprehensive website designed to provide family caregivers with a broad range of expert content and information, an emerging on-line community, daily inspiration, and much needed support.
Visit www.StrengthForCaring.com to learn more about Johnson & Johnson Caregiver Initiative.
This Caring Home provides tips and tools to enhance home safety for persons with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. This CaringHome.org was funded by grants from several foundations to Weill Cornell Medical College, a clinical and medical research center located in New York City.
Visit www.thiscaringhome.org to learn more about This Caring Home.
Caring From a Distance is a nonprofit organization created by men and women who personally struggled with the anguish, stress, and frustration of long distance care. Our strength lies in this shared experience and in bringing together our diverse backgrounds to help Caring From a Distance service and help unite the distance-care community.
Visit www.cfad.org to learn more about Caring From a Distance.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Provides Tips To Help Caregivers Both Give and Receive the Care They Need.
Resource Index
Project 2020: Georgia For a Lifetime
National Council on Aging (NCOA)
GA Division of Aging Services (DAS)
Adult Protective Services (APS)
Community Care Services Program
Home & Community-Based Services
Centers for Independent Living (CIL)
National Family Caregiver Support
Aging & Disability Resource Connection
Elderly Legal Assistance Program
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
State Health Insurance Assistance
Atlanta Hoarding Task Force (AHTF)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
Handbook for Long-Distance Caregivers
National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC)
National Transitions of Care Coalition
